Jazz Articles about Dafnis Prieto

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Henry Threadgill Vijay Iyer Dafnis Prieto: Fifteen

by Mike Jurkovic
August 5, 2026

Fifteen is the wildly ecstatic new music from saxophonist Henry Threadgill (who at times seems quite unhinged) and the equally motivated MacArthur Fellowship winners,  pianist Vijay Iyer and a souped-up Dafnis Prieto on his respective percussive instrument. A lot of good stuff happens here, from the lead-off quarrel “Trio  Piece," wherein Threadgill's flute leads forward his groove- insistent partners, until the freewheeling closer, “On The Way," a freethinker's guide to wonder, powered by a full-on, full trio, rush.

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Jason Charos: Opening Statement

by Jack Bowers
October 28, 2025

Trumpeter Jason Charos was a student at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, as were alto saxophonist David Mason and pianist Connor Rohrer, while tenor Kendric McAllister was a recent graduate when Charos' impressive Opening Statement was recorded in March 2022. Since then, the “four amigos," as they are sometimes known, have headed to New York City to broaden their horizons and pursue their budding careers. The amigos are ably supported on the studio date ...

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Shelly Berg: Alegria

by Pierre Giroux
August 21, 2024

Shelly Berg's Alegria is a journey through the landscapes of love, joy and reflection. Joined by longtime collaborators bassist Carlitos Del Puerto and drummer Dafnis Prieto, along with tenor saxophonist Melvin Butler on a couple of tracks, Berg creates a sound that is bustling and approachable. The eleven tracks release are predominately Berg originals, with two reinterpretations of classics from Leonard Bernstein and The Beatles, each designed to offer a narrative that reflects Berg's connection to ...

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Luciana Souza and Dafnis Prieto in Conversation and Song

by David Bixler
November 16, 2022

After the GRAMMY-winning album, Back to the Sunset, and his pandemic sextet project, Transparency, drummer and composer Dafnis Prieto was in search of something new. This journey brought him back to his roots and he again began to compose songs with lyrics as he did in his youth. Collaborating with  Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza he has created his latest project, Cantar. I am joined in this episode with both Luciana and Dafnis as they talk about the genesis and future of this unique project. this episode features ...

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Dafnis Prieto: I'm a drummer because I love melody

by David Bixler
December 10, 2020

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Today’s Latin Big Bands: Dafnis Prieto, Arturo O’Farrill, Miguel Zenon, David Murray, Antonio Adolpho and Bobby Sanabria

by Russell Perry
December 8, 2020

Cuban influences have been heard in jazz since the 1940s. The 1960s brought significant Brazilian sounds into the music. Today, musicians from throughout Latin America are shaping the music, never more vibrantly than in large Latin ensembles. Latin Big Bands lead by Dafnis Prieto, Arturo O'Farrill, Miguel Zenon, David Murray, Arturo O'Farrill and Bobby Sanabria in this hour of Jazz at 100 Today! Playlist Host Intro 0:00 Dafnis Prieto Big Band “A Triumphant Journey" from Back to the ...

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Dafnis Prieto Sextet: Transparency

by John Chacona
November 21, 2020

In Cuban music, emotional grandeur and extravagant virtuosity is built on a foundation of inexhaustible rhythm. So, it's no surprise to find an abundance of juicy melodies and breathtaking drumming on Transparency from drummer and MacArthur “Genius" Fellow Dafnis Prieto. Yet for all the astonishing things he does behind the kit, what stands out on Transparency is the dazzling formal sophistication of Prieto's compositions. Eight of the nine composer credits are his and the outlier, an arrangement of ...